Over the years that our family has lived in Iowa, we have quite naturally met many people who grew up on farms. Since my early years were spent in the suburbs of Buffalo NY, Boston MA and Cleveland OH, the stories and experiences that these friends had were far different than mine. I have found these stories to be interesting, entertaining and educational.
One structure that farms have in common is a barn. There are a lot of different barn designs and buildings. Depending upon the type of farm, the barns may have different purposes. A barn for hay storage is different than a barn for milking the cows. One feature that they seem to have in common though are cats. Barn cats can be really helpful in keeping the rodent populations down. Apparently these cats can have a tendency to reproduce and also to get underfoot and in the way when things are going on in the barn.
One friend in particular told us what their family did when they needed to have the barn cats out of their way. They would catch the cats, put butter on their paws and put them in an out-of-the-way corner of the barn. The cats would be so focused on licking their paws to get all the butter off that they would stay put and pay no attention to what else may be going on.
That is quite a picture of course and it made me think of how God’s adversary works. (Yes, there is an adversary and sadly most Christians seem to be ignorant of his devices and therefore vulnerable to him). This adversary has two desires: to be like the Most High and secondly, to hinder the purposes of the True God.
One way that this adversary will hinder the purposes of the True God is to distract God’s children from God’s Will and Purpose for their lives. It seems that there is no end to the variety of the distractions! Work, sports, television, the computer, religious activities (gasp) can all be “butter on the paws”. Obviously that list is not exhaustive.
If it seems that you never have time to quietly and privately commune with God – you may have butter on your paws.
If you are always too tired to stay your mind and meditate upon God’s Word – you may have butter on your paws.
If it is never convenient to fellowship and worship with likeminded believers – you may have butter on your paws.
If you are too busy to pray with and be of service to a brother or sister in Christ – you may have butter on your paws.
If you are never able to find a way to share out of your abundance – you may have butter on your paws.
There is nothing more satisfying in life than to live in harmony with our Heavenly Father and in alignment with His purpose for our lives.
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